DIY Photo Magnets with Cricut

Photo gifts are some of my favorite things to give! See how to easily create DIY Photo Magnets with the Cricut Explore Air. This post contains affiliate links.

I’m a sucker for photo magnets. I gave out several for Christmas gifts last year. Any time I see a photo company offering those freebie magnets like they do every so often, I usually can’t resist ordering one. The downsides to ordering magnets from a photo company are 1) I still have to pay shipping (which is often a bit too expensive) and 2) the freebie usually takes a few weeks to arrive. When I want a photo magnet to give as a gift in a last minute situation, this means I need to get creative and DIY it!

Luckily, my Cricut Explore Air 2 makes DIY Photo Magnets easy. New Cricut users often ask if uploading their own images is easy to do in Cricut Design Space. Absolutely yes! I’ve used several different softwares in my day, and Cricut Design Space is the most user friendly when it comes to uploading personal photos and images.

Open Cricut Design Space. Click on Insert Images. Choose the shape that you would like the magnet to be. In this case, I’m using a heart.

Make the shape the size that you would like the finished magnet to be.

Click on Upload Images.

Click Upload Pattern.

Click “Browse” to upload your image.

Upload the image and click save. After uploading the image, you may think at first that the photo has disappeared. To find any image that you have uploaded to be a pattern, click on the shape layer and then click print.

Click on Patterns.

Click the image that you would like to use as the pattern.

If the photo is not centered, click on “edit” to move and resize the photo.

Now print and cut like you would any other image. If you’re new to print and cut, click “Go” at the top menu bar in Cricut Design Space and then follow the directions. The software will walk you through it.

For the printable vinyl, use the StrongGrip Cutting Mat.

No matter if you are uploading images to be used as a cut file or as a pattern, Cricut Design Space makes it super simple. Give this project a try and let me know how it goes! You’ll be making them for Christmas gifts before you know it.

For more Cricut tutorials, information, and projects, be sure to check out my Cricut Class page!

Hi, The Print then Cut feature allows you to print the photo out on the magnet material with your home printer, and then you place the magnet material on the Cricut mat and the Cricut cuts out the shape.

Hi, I would just watch the thickness of the magnetic printable sheets that you purchase. The Cricut printable magnet sheets are 0.28 mm in thickness. The Cricut standard blade cuts through it easily. If you find a printable magnet comparable to this thickness, it would probably work ok. If you have a Cricut deep cut blade, then you could probably use a magnet sheet that is a little thicker. You do need to have a general idea of the thickness of any other magnet sheet that you purchase so that you can adjust the cut settings for the machine.

I am assuming that you want them on the outside of the car. I would not recommend these printable magnet sheets simply because the ink would wash off with water. You’ll need to find some that are thicker and made for outdoor use. I have never used anything like that before, so I do not have a brand or type to recommend.

Can this be done with a photo from your iPad or iPhone- or do you have to have a computer? Also I have cricut explore air- but do not see an option to do patterns. Any help you can give is appreciated.

I do not have an iPad or iPhone, so I cannot speak from experience, but I believe this has to be done on a computer. If you have a Cricut Explore Air, you should have an option to do patterns. The option to do patterns has more to do with the software than the machine. Are you using the new Cricut Design Space 3?

Rather than using the Edit button at the top, use the Edit button at the bottom right while in Print\Patterns
Then use the options there to enlarge and modify the horizontal and vertical placement. If your picture is too small for the image you’re placing it in, the “pattern” is multiple copies of the picture so by enlarging it you’ll remove the “duplicate” copies of the picture on the image and can center it.

I have an IPad Pro. Most of these instructions are shown on a laptop or desktop. When I watch what you are teaching, your desktop screen looks different then my IPad. How am I suppose to learn when the screens are different. I have also been told that the screens are not different but they are. To me, I can’t learn from you ladies if you tell us one thing and our computers say something else. It’s really hard to learn this way. Should I just not learn from you and just ask Cricut how to do everything, because I’m not learning anything the other ladies

Hi, Yes, I only work on my laptop. There are some Design Space features that are not available on iPad or Android and are only available on the desktop version. I also keep many downloaded fonts and images on my computer that I like for easy accessibility when using Design Space. My laptop has a large screen, making it easier for me to visualize and create designs than it would be for me on a tablet or mobile device. For these reasons, I choose to not use any device other than my laptop. I do not deny that your screen on the iPad looks differently than mine; it probably does! There may also be features that I mention that may not be available on the iPad Design Space version. For your learning purposes, I suggest locating a blogger that uses only the iPad (I do not know of any right off the top of my head) or relying on Cricut. While you can definitely do many of the projects that I showcase on my blog with any version of Design Space, I understand how it may be confusing for a Cricut beginner.

Please note that providing a name and email is not required to leave a comment on this website. If you choose to leave a name and email address, you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. *

DISCLAIMER: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of all information on this website, It Happens in a Blink, LLC, makes no guarantee to the procedures shared here. It Happens in a Blink, LLC, is not responsible or liable for direct, indirect, or consequential damages or personal grievances resulting from the use of any information on ItHappensinaBlink.com. This website is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a professional.

I love sharing my ideas and projects, and I love when others like them enough to want to share them too! If you would like to share a pattern or project, please refer to my Terms of Use for copyright details.This is a personal blog written and edited by me. If you have any questions, you may always contact me. I take great pride in maintaining the integrity of this site and building it as an honest and reliable source of information and inspiration for my readers.
Please note that no photos of my children are to be republished on another blog under any circumstances.
Read my full Privacy Policy Here: https://ithappensinablink.com/privacy-policy/
Read my full Disclosure Policy Here: https://ithappensinablink.com/disclosure-policy/